To realize your new year’s resolutions you may need to examine the voice within your head which is always nattering at a low volume like a radio playing in the background. Does that radio station keep playing sad songs like “I’m a Failure” “I’m a Fake” and “I’m Lazy”? Well maybe it’s time to change the station. Realize, you do sabotage yourself with negative self talk.

You look in the mirror and you gained 5 pounds over the holidays – not great – but not the end of the world either. Seize the opportunity to look within and get a greater understanding of why you overindulged. Did you seek solace in food and extra wine to deal with the deep pain around _________________(fill in the blank – a break up, parent’s divorce, job loss etc.)

Painful losses are a fact of life, but our culture is uncomfortable with expressions of grief, so we divert our focus to food, gambling, drugs, alcohol and often self-mutilation. These are all expression of the deep pain we carry and our attempt to not be present, to escape.

What if for 2014 you created a kick ass lawyer or counselor to rebut all the horrible things you tell yourself ? Imagine this lawyer/counselor advising: “Yes you gained 5 pounds as a coping tool to deal with your parent’s death or other, but you are now learning other tools to help you deal with the deep pain and discomfort these events caused you”.

Give lawyer/counselor a name and trust him or her to look after you and protect you from that nasty voice that undermines you in so many of your endeavors. It’s time to dare to dream.

To help you deal with your losses, I can recommend you visit us at ourgrief site.

The Bach flower remedy to help you with this is Cherry plum . Take 2 drops three times a day for three days. Let me know how you are doing. Your progress is important!

May you all discover new depths of resolve and tap the inner strength that will keep you motivated and engaged. Cheers! In my quest to help, the topics of this month’s posts will be reminders, and offer food for thought in general, to help you on your quest for self-realization and meaning in 2014.

How Do You Feel About Yourself?

Pause and reflect. Any regrets about New Year’s Eve indulgences? Feel like you need a holiday after the holidays? Now is the time to regroup and think positive! How we feel about ourselves is key to our wellbeing. If you feel good about yourself you will attract positive events and adventures. On this first day of the new year, put past mistakes, regrets and grievances behind you.

It can be simple – maybe you have outgrown your look and it is time to get a new look – be it new hair , or an outfit that perhaps you felt intimidated by since it would attract too much attention – tap that inner strength, make it happen and you’ll carry it off. Or the time may be ripe to lose that stubborn extra weight that won’t budge. Check out our weight loss support services and FREE online support group.

If events in our personal past make us feel shameful and ugly inside – make 2014 the year to shed that. To help that happen get somecrab tree Bach flower remedy.

Take 3 drops in a glass of water 4 times a day for 7 days and let me know the changes. Be prepared this remedy might inspire the soul to use the dream stage to work through the discomfort, the shame and memory of abuse. Be prepared for a little discomfort. Some people deal with abuse and disappointment by self medicating with food or alcohol or gambling and that is no remedy. Keep positive, it is a stage and like king Solomon said “this too will pass”.

Studies have shown that increasing your intake of potassium will lead to a greater weight loss.

Not only does potassium assist in your weight loss goals but it also fights off the risks of heart disease and high blood pressure. That is amazing news, as potassium can be found in our everyday meals. Insuring you are getting the right amount will get you closer to your weight loss goals. So how is this mineral going to help you lose weight?

Electrolyte

Potassium is an essential mineral, and it is also an electrolyte. Being an electrolyte it is balancing the sodium in your body. Since sodium holds water in your cells, this increases the water you retain which increases your weight. Potassium helps balance the sodium in your cells enabling you to lose weight and decreases the risk of high blood pressure. Also, when you are exercising you excrete potassium through your sweat. It is essential to replenish your potassium stores to be able to have energy for your workouts.

Muscle development

Eating a rich potassium diet helps you build muscle. It aids in muscle development by converting your food into energy for muscle growth, which entails a boost in your metabolism. Having a higher ratio of muscle helps you burn more calories and lose more weight. You will start shedding the fat, and increasing your lean muscle tissue when you exercise.

If you are low on potassium, symptoms include:

Muscle weakness

Weight gain

Feeling constantly tired

Leg cramps

constipation

List of potassium rich food to incorporate in your diet:

Crimini mushroom 5 oz. 635 mg potassium

Swiss chard 1 cup 960.8 mg potassium

Banana 1 medium 467 mg potassium

Spinach 1 cup 838.8 potassium

Romaine lettuce 2 cups 324.8 potassium

Celery 1 cup 344.4 potassium

Broccoli 1 cup 505.4 potassium

Winter squash 1 cup 895.9 potassium

Tomatoes 1 cup 399.6 potassium

Collard greens 1 cup 494.0 potassium

Summer squash 1 cup 345.6 potassium

Eggplant 1 cup 245.5 potassium

Cantaloupe 1 cup 494.3 potassium

Green beans 1 cup 373.8 potassium

Brussels sprout 1 cup 494.5 potassium

Kale 1 cup 296.4 potassium

Carrots 1 cup 394.1 potassium

Avocado 1 cup 874.5 potassium

Beets 1 cup 518.5 potassium

Papaya 1 small 781.3 potassium

Asparagus 1 cup 288.0

Unprocessed foods have the highest amount of potassium. Stay clear of processed and packaged foods that are lab produced. Processed foods have a high content of sodium, which means not only are they displacing the potassium they are also hindering your weight loss goals. You are meant to eat wholesome fresh food that your body can recognize. Once you incorporate whole foods, your body will thank you and you will be closer to your weight loss goals.

This post was created by guest blogger, Hiba Beyhum, a student of The Institute of Holistic Nutrition. Alex Gellman is Hiba’s preceptor.

I can help you resolve your health challenges, emotional sorrows, and teach you how to understand and correct self-sabotaging behaviour.

The tools I use are homeopathy, nutrition, and emotional iridology, to find the key to the door to realize your dreams!

Alex Gellman HOM, PHD

HOM, PhD, Homeopath, Holistic Nutritionist, Iridologist with a PhD in Integrative Medicine Alex has effectively facilitated the health and wellness of patients in Toronto and Victoria, B.C. since 1981.

She is certified facilitator of MBTi (myers Briggs Type Indicator) that she uses in coaching couples to improve lines of communication and in couple coaching.

Most recently she presented at the University of Toronto 2016 Research Symposium revealing the results of her successful 6-month study on the effects of those suffering from Fibromyalgia.

The author of 3 Life Style Wellness Manuals, Alex also created the stress age biological assessment featured in the Wall Street Journal. She has appeared on a variety of health and wellness television shows and has hosted wellness retreats in Sedona and Niagara

Rabbi - DAVID GELLMAN

Over 30 years of experience in transforming the lives of individuals, families, and corporations, as a spiritual leader, Rabbi, Accountant and a Registered Behavioral Coach.

Rabbi Gellman holds ongoing workshops to offer guidance in achieving a life balance and in making spirituality a principle part of life.

His teaching style combines a wealth of knowledge with coaching skills to ignite people to achieve their dreams.